6 TIPS FOR DRIVING IN TRAFFIC JAMS

Traffic jams are an everyday reality for millions of Nigerians. For people in Lagos, Abuja, Port-harcourt, it has become a way of life. Many drivers plan their day and model their lifestyle according to traffic congestion. As people continue to migrate to bigger cities, the traffic increases and it is important to prepare oneself for this unfortunate adventure. The list of things that you can do inside the car while being stuck in traffic grows impressively longer with only our creativity being the limit.

This is not a bad thing, but checking your make up, calling your mother/spouse or getting some work done on your laptop isn’t going to get you out of that queue. When they are not a result of some unpredictable event, traffic jams follow a certain pattern. The morning and the late afternoon rush hour are times notoriously associated with road congestion, road closures, road crashes, increased travel during holidays, the festive season and Easter. Environmental factors such as heavy rainfall also contributes to heavy traffic jam.

So, the first and best thing to do is to try to avoid traffic jams altogether. Keep yourself informed about the current road conditions or any planned works involving the road infrastructure. For this, you can follow @Gidi_Traffic on twitter, there are many smartphone apps available, and the good old radio is still a solid option too.

Slow Down a Bit

Drive in a manner that will allow the time and space to respond swiftly to any emergency situation. Avoid aggressive driving and weaving from lane to lane – you are driving on the road and not on some game on your phone. Always slow down a bit. Maneuvering along, while trying to find the fastest-moving lane, really won’t save you much time. By slowing down, you can avoid potential collisions with jittery and angry drivers who just don’t have the patience to deal with traffic delays.

Keep a Safe Distance from other Vehicles

During heavy traffic, keep a safe distance [buffer zone] from other vehicles and give yourself ample response time by slowing your speed. If you maintain a safe following distance you’ll have time to react to sudden braking by the cars ahead of you or any erratic driving you might encounter. Be attentive to traffic ahead of you – When cars in front brake, take your foot off the accelerator to slow down gradually before you brake. Be cautious not to brake abruptly. Cautious driving and a safe following distance will also help you avoid frequent braking and rear-end collisions.

Stay Focused. (Keep your eyes on the road and check the mirrors)

Driving in heavy traffic requires an increased focus and alertness. The road will be crowded with cars, the flow of traffic irregular, and people will start getting impatient, leading to them trying to merge where they likely shouldn’t. Keep both eyes on the road, both hands on the steering wheel and all your focus on driving. This is not the time for a serious in- car discussion or any activity that will take your attention away from driving: Leave the phone alone – If you must have a cellular conversation you need to have a hands free device. Turn down the music, ask your passengers to quiet down until you’re free of heavy traffic. Stay focused. Keep your mind on driving by avoiding distractions such as eating and drinking.

Communicate your Driving Intentions

In heavily congested traffic you are sharing the road with many different types of road users and vehicles. Be considerate, understanding and kind! Always communicate your driving Intentions. Indicators are the best tools to avoid agitation and road rage – Use them! Letting other drivers know what you’re about to do helps them prepare their own course of action, and reduces the risk of getting into trouble. You can also use your lights to flash and signal other drivers, warning them of potential problems, while increasing the visibility of your own vehicle.

Remain Calm

When you encounter heavy traffic you need to drive with a very calm and relaxed attitude – do not get agitated with the congested traffic – keep in mind that you and your vehicle contributes to the congestion experienced by all. It is best not to drive while tired or emotionally agitated. Calm is the name of the game in heavy traffic – Patience or becoming a patient are the options… Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out … Remember that everyone is going through the same stress.

Don’t Overtake, Stay on the Line

Many horrific crashes in heavy traffic are head-on collisions caused by impatient drivers recklessly and unsafely overtaking. Before you overtake always consider – Is it legal? Is it safe? Is it necessary? Or do you want the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to pull you over? Try to avoid dangerously overtaking multiple vehicles. Never assume that there will be a safe space for you to re-enter traffic once you have overtaken another vehicle.

Owning a vehicle is a joy, owning an Innoson vehicle is an even bigger joy. Keep this in mind.